Anti-rolling icebox gasket for refrigerator swing doors

ABSTRACT

A gasket is positioned on an icebox within a refrigerator appliance. The gasket includes a first lateral edge spaced apart from a second lateral edge. The first lateral edge has a first height and the second lateral edge has a second height. The first height is greater than the second height. A longitudinal edge extends between and is integrally formed with the first and second lateral edges. The longitudinal edge tapers from the first height to the second height. The second lateral edge is positioned proximate a hinge assembly of an appliance door.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/641,907, filed onMar. 12, 2018, entitled “ANTI-ROLLING ICEBOX GASKET FOR REFRIGERATORSWING DOORS,” the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporatedherein by reference.

FIELD OF DISCLOSURE

The present device generally relates to a refrigerator door assembly,and more specifically, to a refrigerator door assembly including atapered gasket disposed proximate an icebox.

BACKGROUND

It is common to use gaskets to seal areas where components of arefrigerator appliance are joined. However, when one of the componentsis disposed on a hinged door, the uniform height of a standard gasketresults in one side of the gasket extending too far and rolling from theexcess height. This causes frost from air leakage around the rollededge. It is desired to design a gasket with a variation in height toallow sealing without having a rolled edge.

SUMMARY

In at least one aspect, a refrigerator door assembly comprises arefrigerator door operably coupled to a refrigerator appliance by ahinge assembly, an icebox disposed on the refrigerator door and defininga first opening, an air duct disposed within the refrigerator appliancedefining a second opening, wherein the second opening is configured tocommunicate with the first opening when the refrigeration door isclosed, and a gasket disposed about a periphery of one of the firstopening and the second opening. The gasket comprises a first lateraledge having a first height, a second lateral edge having a secondheight, wherein the second height is less than the first height, andfirst and second longitudinal sides join the first lateral edge and thesecond lateral edge, wherein the first and second longitudinal sides aretapered from the first height to the second height.

In another aspect, a refrigerator appliance includes a cabinet defininga refrigeration compartment. A door is operably coupled with the cabinetby a hinge assembly and is movable between an open position and a closedposition. An icemaker is positioned within the door. The icemakerincludes an icebox defining a first opening. An air duct is positionedwithin the refrigeration compartment and is operably coupled with thecabinet. The air duct defines a second opening. The first opening isconfigured to be positioned in communication with the second openingwhen the door is in the closed position. A gasket is positioned about aperiphery of one of the first opening and the second opening. The gasketincludes a first lateral edge having a first height. A second lateraledge has a second height. The second height is less than the firstheight. The second lateral edge is positioned proximate the hingeassembly.

In another aspect, a refrigerator appliance includes a cabinet defininga refrigeration compartment. A door is operably coupled with the cabinetby a hinge assembly. The door includes an inner surface. An icebox isoperably coupled with the inner surface. The icebox includes a frontportion including a first sloped surface and defining a first opening. Abody portion is integrally formed with the front portion and extendsdownward along the inner surface. An air duct is positioned at leastpartially within the refrigeration compartment. The air duct includes asecond sloped surface positioned substantially parallel with the firstsloped surface when the door is in a closed position. The second slopedsurface defines a second opening. A gasket is positioned about aperiphery of one of the first opening and the second opening. The gasketincludes a longitudinal edge. The longitudinal edge tapers toward thehinge assembly.

In another aspect, a gasket is positioned on an icebox within arefrigerator appliance. The gasket includes a first lateral edge spacedapart from a second lateral edge. The first lateral edge has a firstheight, and the second lateral edge has a second height. The firstheight is greater than the second height. A longitudinal edge extendsbetween and is integrally formed with the first and second lateraledges. The longitudinal edge tapers from the first height to the secondheight. The second lateral edge is positioned proximate a hinge assemblyof an appliance door.

These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present devicewill be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the artupon studying the following specification, claims, and appendeddrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a refrigerator appliance with arefrigerator door in a closed position;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the refrigerator appliance of FIG.1 with the refrigerator doors in an open position;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an aspect of a refrigeratorappliance of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A is an enlarged cross-sectional view of FIG. 3, taken at areaIIIA;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional plan view of an aspect of a refrigeratorappliance having the refrigerator door ajar and between an open positionand the closed position;

FIG. 4A is an enlarged top view of FIG. 4 illustrating a gasket assemblyengaging with an air duct;

FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of an icebox and a gasket assembly;and

FIG. 5A is an exploded perspective view of an aspect of the gasketassembly of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,”“left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivativesthereof shall relate to the concepts as oriented in FIG. 2. However, itis to be understood that the concepts may assume various alternativeorientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It isalso to be understood that the specific devices and processesillustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the followingspecification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive conceptsdefined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and otherphysical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed hereinare not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly stateotherwise.

In this document, relational terms, such as first and second, top andbottom, and the like, are used solely to distinguish one entity oraction from another entity or action, without necessarily requiring orimplying any actual such relationship or order between such entities oractions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variationthereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that aprocess, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elementsdoes not include only those elements but may include other elements notexpressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, orapparatus. An element proceeded by “comprises . . . a” does not, withoutmore constraints, preclude the existence of additional identicalelements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprisesthe element.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-5A, reference numeral 10 generally designates arefrigerator appliance including a cabinet 14 selectively closeable by arefrigerator door 18. The refrigerator door 18 is operably coupled tothe refrigeration cabinet 14 by a hinge assembly 22. The hinge assembly22 may be disposed on any portion of the edge of the refrigerator door18 and may include a single hinge or a plurality of hinges, depending onthe configuration of the refrigerator appliance 10.

Still referring to FIGS. 1-5A, an icebox 26 may be disposed on an innersurface 30 of the refrigerator door 18. It is contemplated that theicebox 26 may be disposed on any portion of the inner surface 30 withoutdeparting from the scope of the present disclosure. The icebox 26 isconfigured to engage with an air duct 32 disposed within therefrigeration cabinet 14. The air duct 32 is positioned within therefrigeration cabinet 14 to allow engagement with the icebox 26 when therefrigerator door 18 is in a closed position. The icebox 26 defines afirst opening 34 configured to be in communication with a second opening36 defined by the air duct 32. When the refrigerator door 18 is closed,a gasket 38 may be disposed on the icebox 26 about a periphery of thefirst opening 34. Alternatively, the gasket 38 may be disposed on theair duct 32 about a periphery of the second opening 36 without departingfrom the scope of the present disclosure.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the refrigerator appliance 10 is shownincluding an icemaker 24. The icemaker 24 may be configured to providean ice-making process that may be induced, carried out, stopped, and theice harvested with little, or no, user input. FIGS. 1 and 2 generallyshow a refrigerator of the French-door bottom mount type, but it isunderstood that this disclosure could apply to any type of refrigerator,such as a side-by-side, two-door bottom mount, or a top-mount typerefrigeration unit.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the refrigerator appliance 10 may include thecabinet 14. The cabinet 14 may define a refrigeration compartment 16 anda freezer compartment 20. The refrigeration compartment 16 may beconfigured to refrigerate consumables and may accordingly be kept at atemperature above the freezing point of water and generally below atemperature of from about 35° F. to about 50° F., more typically belowabout 38° F.

In various examples, the refrigerator appliance 10 may have a liner 28coupled with the cabinet 14 to define the refrigeration compartment 16and the freezer compartment 20. The refrigerator appliance 10 may haveone or more doors 18 that provide selective access to the interiorvolume of the appliance 10 where consumables may be stored. It isappreciated that the refrigeration compartment 16 may only have one door18.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-4A, the icemaker 24 may be positioned withinthe door 18 of the appliance 10. The icemaker 24 may be located at anupper portion of the door 18. The icemaker 24 may include the icebox 26.The icebox 26 may include a body portion 40 and a front portion 44. Thebody portion 40 may be integrally formed with the refrigerator door 18.The front portion 44 may also be integrally formed with the innersurface 30 of the refrigerator door 18 to create a continuous surfaceacross the icebox 26. The front portion 44 may be operably coupled tothe body portion 40 and may include a first sloped surface 46 inclinedupward toward a top edge of the refrigerator door 18. In variousexamples, the body portion 40 may be covered by a door liner 100. Thedoor liner 100 may define the inner surface 30 of the door 18. In otherexamples, the door liner 100 may be positioned over the inner surface 30of the door 18. In still other examples, the body portion 40 and thefront portion 44 of the icebox 26 may be formed by a cover 104configured to fit over the icebox 26 and the icemaker 24 (see FIG. 5).

Referring now to FIGS. 3-4A, the front portion 44 defines the firstopening 34. The first opening 34 may be generally rectangular and mayinclude a guide 50 (see FIG. 5) configured to secure the gasket 38 aboutthe periphery of the first opening 34. The first opening 34 may beconfigured to direct cooled air from the air duct 32 into an interior ofthe icebox 26 to lower the temperature for ice formation within theicemaker 24.

As shown in FIG. 2, the air duct 32 may be positioned within therefrigeration compartment 16 and may be at least partially coupled withthe cabinet 14 and/or the liner 28 of the appliance 10. The air duct 32may extend from a front of the cabinet 14 toward a rear of the cabinet14 and may be positioned at substantially the same height as the frontportion 44 of the icebox 26.

Referring again to FIGS. 3-4A, the air duct 32 may include a bodyportion 48 and a front portion 52, where the body portion 48 extendsrearward of the front portion 52. As discussed above, the body portion48 may be operably coupled to the refrigerator appliance 10 and may bedisposed within the refrigeration cabinet 14 (see FIG. 2). The frontportion 52 may be operably coupled to the body portion 48. In variousexamples, the front portion 52 may be positioned within therefrigeration compartment 16 of the cabinet 14 such that, when the door18 of the appliance 10 is in the closed position, the icebox 26 of theicemaker 24 is received within the refrigeration compartment 16. Theicebox 26 may extend a predetermined distance into the refrigerationcompartment 16. The front portion 52 of the air duct 32 may bepositioned to abut the front portion 44 of the icebox 26 when the door18 is in the closed position and the icebox 26 is extending into therefrigeration compartment 16. It is contemplated that the air duct 32may be recessed any distance into the appliance 10 to allow the frontportion 44 of the icebox 26 to be fully received.

Referring again to FIGS. 2-4A, the front portion 52 of the air duct 32may define the second opening 36 configured to communicate with thefirst opening 34 when the refrigerator door 18 is in the closedposition. The second opening 36 may be similar in shape and size to thefirst opening 34 and may be configured to complement the first opening34.

Referring again to FIGS. 3-4A, the front portion 52 of the air duct 32may include a second sloped surface 56 which may be inclined tocomplement the first sloped surface 46 of the front portion 44 of theicebox 26. As discussed elsewhere herein, when the icebox 26 is receivedwithin the refrigeration compartment 16, the first sloped surface 46 ofthe front portion 44 of the icebox 26 may be positioned to abut or be inclose proximity to the second sloped surface 56 of the air duct 32. Theabutment of the first and second sloped surface 46, 56 is configured tofacilitate the seal between the icebox 26 of the icemaker 24 and the airduct 32.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 5A, the gasket 38 may include a firstlateral edge 60 and a second lateral edge 64. The first and secondlateral edges 60, 64 may be joined by first and second longitudinaledges 68, 70. In various examples, the first and second lateral edges60, 64 may be shorter than the first and second longitudinal edges 68,70. The lengths of the first and second lateral edges 60, 64 and thefirst and second longitudinal edges 68, 70 typically depend on theconfiguration of the first and second openings 34, 36 (see FIGS. 2-4A).The first lateral edge 60 may span a first height H1 (or thickness) whenmeasured from a top surface to a bottom surface of the gasket 38. Thesecond lateral edge 64 may span a second height H2 (or thickness) whenmeasured from the top surface to the bottom surface of the gasket 38.The second height H2 may be less than the first height H1 to provide atapered decrease in height (or thickness) across each of the first andsecond longitudinal edges 68, 70. The first and second heights H1, H2are selected to allow at least about 2 mm of compression of the secondlateral edge 64 when the refrigerator door 18 is in the closed position.The compression may be between about 1 mm to about 3 mm when the door 18is in the closed position. It will be understood that the taperedconfiguration of the gasket 38 between H1 and H2 may also be at leastpartially achieved by utilizing a gasket having a substantiallycontinuous height (or thickness) and a tapered guide 50 or by utilizingthe gasket 38 with the tapered longitudinal edge(s) 68, 70 inconjunction with a tapered guide 50. It will also be understood that thetaper configuration of the gasket 38 may be at least partially achievedby tapering one or both of the first and second sloped surfaces 46, 56to position the first lateral edge 60 of the gasket 38 at a greaterheight than the second lateral edge 64 of the gasket 38. The taperedsloped surface 46, 56 may alternatively determine the contact betweenthe gasket 38 and the sloped surface 46, 56 such that the second lateraledge 64 is not substantially compressed and/or rolled prior to contactbetween the first lateral edge 60 and the sloped surface 46, 56. It willfurther be understood that any combination of a tapered sloped surface46, 56, a tapered guide 50, and/or a tapered gasket 38 may be usedwithout departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Referring again to FIGS. 5 and 5A, as discussed elsewhere herein, theguide 50 may be positioned on one of the first sloped surface 46 and thesecond sloped surface 56. In various examples, the sloped surfaces 46,56 may define a well 106 configured to at least partially receive theguide 50. The guide 50 may include a body 108. The body 108 may beconfigured to be operably coupled with one of the front portion 44 ofthe icebox 26 and the front portion 52 of the air duct 32, respectively.The body 108 may be sized to be received by the well 106 of therespective sloped surfaces 46, 56. The guide 50 is shaped to complementthe shape of the first and second openings 34, 36. The guide 50 ispositioned about the periphery of one of the first opening 34 and thesecond opening 36, respectively, to provide an anchor for the gasket 38.The guide 50 may provide a poka yoke feature for easy installation ofthe gasket 38. In some examples, the poka yoke feature may include aplurality of snaps 120 extending from the body 108 of the guide 50 to beengaged with spaces defined within the well 106. The poka yoke feature(e.g., the plurality of snaps 120 and corresponding spaces) isconfigured to prevent reverse installation of the gasket 38, whichensures proper positioning of the first and second lateral sides 60, 64based on the first and second heights H1, H2.

The first and second longitudinal edges 68, 70 and the first and secondlateral edges 60, 64 may include a plurality of connection wells 80configured to receive connection posts 84 positioned on and extendingfrom the body 108 of the guide 50. The gasket 38 may be operably coupledto the guide 50 when the connection posts 84 are received by one of theconnection wells 80. The connection posts 84 may be any shape or styleconfigured to couple the gasket 38 with the guide 50. The connectionposts 84 may be any size, including varying sizes, depending on theconfiguration and size of the gasket 38. In various examples, theplurality of connection wells 80 may be a single connection well 80configured to receive a single connection post 84 that extends along aperiphery of the body 108 of the guide 50.

The difference between the first height H1 and the second height H2 isconfigured to prevent rolling of the gasket 38. Rolling of the gasket 38is caused by excessive height on the lateral edge 60 or 64 that isclosest to the hinge assembly 22. To prevent rolling, the gasket 38 isconfigured to be positioned about the periphery of one of the firstopening 34 and the second opening 36 so that the second lateral edge 64is positioned closer to the hinge assembly 22 than the first lateraledge 60 (see FIG. 3A). The variation in the heights H1, H2 of the firstlateral edge 60 and the second lateral edge 64 is configured to provideuniform compression across the gasket 38 as the door 18 moves into theclosed position. As the second lateral edge 64 comes into contact withthe periphery of the other of the first opening 34 and the secondopening 36, because of the tapered configuration of the gasket 38, thesecond lateral edge 64 is compressed contemporaneously or simultaneouslywith the first lateral edge 60. Contemporaneous or simultaneousengagement of the first and second lateral edges 60, 64 with theopposing opening serves to prevent this rolling from occurring. Bypreventing rolling of the gasket 38, it is possible to prevent leaksthat may lead to a build-up of frost on the gasket 38, the prevention ofwhich improves the sealing quality of the gasket 38.

In one embodiment, a refrigerator door assembly may comprise therefrigerator door 18 operably coupled to the refrigerator appliance 10by a hinge assembly 22, the icebox 26 disposed on the refrigerator door18, and defining the first opening 34, the air duct 32 disposed withinthe refrigerator appliance 10 defining the second opening 36, whereinthe second opening 36 is configured to communicate with the firstopening 34 when the refrigerator door 18 is closed. A gasket 38 isdisposed about a periphery of one of the first opening 34 and the secondopening 36. The gasket 38 comprises the first lateral edge 60 having thefirst height H1, the second lateral edge 64 having the second height H2,wherein the second height H2 is less than the first height H1. The firstand second longitudinal edges 68, 70 may join the first lateral edge 60and the second lateral edge 64, wherein the first and secondlongitudinal edges 68, 70 are tapered from the first height H1 to thesecond height H2. In other words, the first and second longitudinaledges 68, 70 may taper from the first height H1 to the second height H2.

According to one aspect, a refrigerator appliance may include a cabinetdefining a refrigeration compartment. A door may be operably coupledwith the cabinet by a hinge assembly and may be movable between an openposition and a closed position. An icemaker may be positioned within thedoor. The icemaker may include an icebox defining a first opening. Anair duct may be positioned within the refrigeration compartment and maybe operably coupled with the cabinet. The air duct may define a secondopening. The first opening may be configured to be positioned incommunication with the second opening when the door is in the closedposition. A gasket may be positioned about a periphery of one of thefirst opening and the second opening. The gasket may include a firstlateral edge having a first height. A second lateral edge may have asecond height. The second height may be less than the first height. Thesecond lateral edge may be positioned proximate the hinge assembly.

According to another aspect, the icebox may include a body portion and afront portion. The front portion may include a first surface inclinedupward toward a top edge of the door.

According to other aspects, the air duct may include a second surfaceinclined toward a front of the appliance. The second surface may beconfigured to abut the first surface when the door is in the closedposition.

According to yet another aspect, the refrigerator appliance may furtherinclude a guide configured to be operably coupled with one of the iceboxand the air duct. The guide may be shaped to be positioned about aperiphery of one of the first and second openings, respectively.

According to other aspects, a longitudinal edge may extend between andmay be integrally formed with the first and second lateral edges. Thelongitudinal edge may taper from the first height to the second height.

According to still other aspects, the second lateral edge may becompressed by about 1 mm to about 4 mm when the door is in the closedposition.

According to another aspect, a refrigerator appliance may include acabinet defining a refrigeration compartment. A door may be operablycoupled with the cabinet by a hinge assembly. The door may include aninner surface. An icebox may be operably coupled with the inner surface.The icebox may include a front portion including a first sloped surfaceand defining a first opening. A body portion may be integrally formedwith the front portion and may extend downward along the inner surface.An air duct may be positioned at least partially within therefrigeration compartment. The air duct may include a second slopedsurface positioned substantially parallel with the first sloped surfacewhen the door is in a closed position. The second sloped surface maydefine a second opening. A gasket may be positioned about a periphery ofone of the first opening and the second opening. The gasket may includea longitudinal edge. The longitudinal edge may taper toward the hingeassembly.

According to yet another aspect, the gasket may further include a firstlateral edge spaced apart from a second lateral edge. The first lateraledge may have a first height, and the second lateral edge may have asecond height. The first height may be greater than the second height.

According to other aspects, the second lateral edge may be positionedproximate the hinge assembly.

According to still another aspect, the second height may provide about 1mm to about 4 mm of compression when the door is in the closed position.

According to yet another aspect, the longitudinal edge may be integrallyformed with the first and second lateral edges. The longitudinal edgemay taper from the first height to the second height.

According to still other aspects, the refrigerator appliance may furtherinclude a guide coupled with one of the first sloped surface and thesecond sloped surface. The guide may define a plurality of connectionposts.

According to another aspect, the gasket may define a plurality ofconnection wells. The plurality of connection wells may be configured toreceive the plurality of connection posts.

According to still other aspects, the guide may be configured to engagewith one of the first sloped surface and the second sloped surface.

According to yet another aspect, one of the first sloped surface and thesecond sloped surface may define a well configured to receive the guide.

According to other aspects, the first opening may be aligned with thesecond opening when the door is in the closed position.

According to another aspect, a gasket may be positioned on an iceboxwithin a refrigerator appliance. The gasket may include a first lateraledge spaced apart from a second lateral edge. The first lateral edge mayhave a first height and the second lateral edge may have a secondheight. The first height may be greater than the second height. Alongitudinal edge may extend between and may be integrally formed withthe first and second lateral edges. The longitudinal edge may taper fromthe first height to the second height. The second lateral edge may bepositioned proximate a hinge assembly of an appliance door.

According to still other aspects, the second height may provide about 1mm to about 4 mm of compression when the appliance door is in a closedposition.

According to yet another aspect, the first and second lateral edges andthe longitudinal edge may define one or more connection wells.

According to other aspects, the first lateral edge may be substantiallyparallel with the second lateral edge.

It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art thatconstruction of the described concepts, and other components, is notlimited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of theconcepts disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety of materialsunless described otherwise herein.

For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of itsforms: couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining oftwo components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to oneanother. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature.Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical ormechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrallyformed as a single unitary body with one another or with the twocomponents. Such joining may be permanent in nature, or may be removableor releasable in nature, unless otherwise stated.

It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement ofthe elements of the disclosure, as shown in the exemplary embodiments,is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the presentinnovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, thoseskilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciatethat many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes,dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements,values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors,orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novelteachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example,elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multipleparts, or elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, theoperation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, thelength or width of the structures and/or members or connector or otherelements of the system may be varied, and the nature or numeral ofadjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied. Itshould be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may beconstructed from any of a wide variety of materials that providesufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors,textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications areintended to be included within the scope of the present innovations.Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be madein the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired andother exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of thepresent innovations.

It will be understood that any described processes, or steps withindescribed processes, may be combined with other disclosed processes orsteps to form structures within the scope of the present disclosure. Theexemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrativepurposes and are not to be construed as limiting.

It is also to be understood that variations and modifications can bemade on the aforementioned structures and methods without departing fromthe concepts of the present disclosure, and further, it is to beunderstood that such concepts are intended to be covered by thefollowing claims, unless these claims, by their language, expresslystate otherwise.

The above description is considered that of the illustrated embodimentsonly. Modifications of the device will occur to those skilled in the artand to those who make or use the device. Therefore, it is understoodthat the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above is merelyfor illustrative purposes and not intended to limit the scope of thedevice, which is defined by the following claims as interpretedaccording to the principles of patent law, including the Doctrine ofEquivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A refrigerator appliance comprising: a cabinetdefining a refrigeration compartment; a door operably coupled with thecabinet by a hinge assembly and movable between an open position and aclosed position; an icemaker positioned within the door, the icemakerincluding an icebox defining a first opening; an air duct positionedwithin the refrigeration compartment and operably coupled with thecabinet, the air duct defining a second opening, wherein the firstopening is configured to be positioned in engagement with the secondopening when the door is in the closed position; and a gasket positionedabout a periphery of one of the first opening and the second opening,the gasket comprising: a first lateral edge having a first height; and asecond lateral edge having a second height, wherein the second height isless than the first height, and further wherein the second lateral edgeis positioned proximate the hinge assembly.
 2. The refrigeratorappliance of claim 1, wherein the icebox includes a body portion and afront portion, and further wherein the front portion includes a firstsurface inclined upward toward a top edge of the door.
 3. Therefrigerator appliance of claim 2, wherein the air duct includes asecond surface inclined toward a front of the appliance, the secondsurface configured to be proximate the first surface when the door is inthe closed position.
 4. The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, furthercomprising: a guide configured to be operably coupled with one of theicebox and the air duct, wherein the guide is shaped to be positionedabout a periphery of one of the first and second openings, respectively.5. The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, wherein the gasket furthercomprises a longitudinal edge extending between and integrally formedwith the first and second lateral edges, wherein the longitudinal edgetapers from the first height to the second height.
 6. The refrigeratorappliance of claim 1, wherein the second lateral edge is compressed byabout 1 mm to about 4 mm when the door is in the closed position.
 7. Arefrigerator appliance, comprising: a cabinet defining a refrigerationcompartment; a door operably coupled with the cabinet by a hingeassembly, the door including an inner surface; an icebox operablycoupled with the inner surface and including: a front portion includinga first sloped surface and defining a first opening; an air ductpositioned at least partially within the refrigeration compartment, theair duct including a second sloped surface positioned substantiallyparallel with the first sloped surface when the door is in a closedposition, wherein the second sloped surface defines a second opening;and a gasket positioned about a periphery of one of the first openingand the second opening, the gasket including a longitudinal edge,wherein the longitudinal edge tapers toward the hinge assembly.
 8. Therefrigerator appliance of claim 7, wherein the gasket further comprises:a first lateral edge spaced apart from a second lateral edge, the firstlateral edge having a first height and the second lateral edge having asecond height, wherein the first height is greater than the secondheight.
 9. The refrigerator appliance of claim 8, wherein the secondlateral edge is positioned proximate the hinge assembly.
 10. Therefrigerator appliance of claim 8, wherein the second height providesabout 1 mm to about 4 mm of compression when the door is in the closedposition.
 11. The refrigerator appliance of claim 8, wherein thelongitudinal edge is integrally formed with the first and second lateraledges, and further wherein the longitudinal edge tapers from the firstheight to the second height.
 12. The refrigerator appliance of claim 7,further comprising: a guide coupled with one of the first sloped surfaceand the second sloped surface, wherein the guide defines a plurality ofconnection posts.
 13. The refrigerator appliance of claim 12, whereinthe gasket defines a plurality of connection wells, the plurality ofconnection wells configured to receive the plurality of connectionposts.
 14. The refrigerator appliance of claim 12, wherein the guide isconfigured to engage with one of the first sloped surface and the secondsloped surface.
 15. The refrigerator appliance of claim 12, wherein oneof the first sloped surface and the second sloped surface defines a wellconfigured to receive the guide.
 16. The refrigerator appliance of claim7, wherein the first opening is aligned with the second opening when thedoor is in the closed position.
 17. A gasket positioned on an iceboxwithin a refrigerator appliance, the gasket comprising: a first lateraledge spaced apart from a second lateral edge, the first lateral edgehaving a first height and the second lateral edge having a secondheight, wherein the first height is greater than the second height; alongitudinal edge extending between and integrally formed with the firstand second lateral edges, the longitudinal edge tapered from the firstheight to the second height, wherein the second lateral edge ispositioned proximate a hinge assembly of an appliance door.
 18. Thegasket of claim 17, wherein the second height provides about 1 mm toabout 4 mm of compression when the appliance door is in a closedposition.
 19. The gasket of claim 17, wherein the first and secondlateral edges and the longitudinal edge define one or more connectionwells.
 20. The gasket of claim 17, wherein the first lateral edge issubstantially parallel with the second lateral edge.